LAJ summary of selected bills and effective dates
2018 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature
LAJ staff compiled this summary of selected bills enacted during the 2018 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Resources used include legislative instruments found on the website of the Louisiana Legislature and digests prepared by legislative staff. This does not include the hundreds of bills not passed.
For access to all legislative instruments from the 2018 Regular Session, go to http://www.legis.la.gov. Texts of acts and legislative history, including archived internet broadcasts of committee and floor action, are also available on that website.
Art. 3, Sect. 19 of the Louisiana Constitution specifies that the effective date of an act of the regular session shall be August 1 of the calendar year in which the session was held, unless the instrument itself specifies a different effective date.
You should see the act for any specific language concerning proposed prospective or retroactive application. If no such language exists, courts will perform retroactivity analysis under Civil Code Art. 6 and R.S. 1:2.
Please forward corrections, comments, questions, or other concerns to Tom Wright at LAJ by phone at 225-242-4837 or by email at twright@lafj.org.
Quick links:
Practice and procedure
Punitive damages
Motor vehicle, traffic, transportation
Natural disasters
Courts, court proceedings
Immunity
Medical insurance and billing
Prescription drugs, PBMs, opioid
Professional liability/licensure
Criminal law and procedure
Human trafficking
Constitutional amendments
Practice and procedure
Settlements for minors. Replaces C.C.P. Art. 4272 “Court approval of payments to minor” provisions with a cross-reference to the court approval of payments pursuant to C.C.P. Art. 4521. Amends C.C.P. Art. 4521 “Payments to minor” to provide for the investment of funds in an interest-bearing account, to specify that a trust be administered by an individual or corporate trustee, to require court approval of structured settlement agreements, and to provide for the approval of the payment of funds to an unemancipated minor who is in the legal custody of Department of Children and Family Services. (Amends C.C.P. Arts. 4272 and 4521) SB 537 Luneau. Act 607. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Prescription. Specifies that a settlement and subsequent dismissal of a defendant does not qualify as a voluntary dismissal pursuant to C.C. Art. 3463. Codifies Pierce v. Foster Wheeler Constructors, Inc., 906 So.2d 605 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2005). (Amends C.C. Art. 3463) HB 5 Connick. Act 443. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Reduces the time delay to respond to written discovery requests in family law matters from 30 days to 15 days. (Amends C.C.P. Arts. 1458 and 1462(B)) HB 550 Magee. Act 135. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Evidence. Authorizes the admissibility and consideration of evidence of the defendant’s commission of a crime, wrong, or act involving domestic abuse, family violence, or sexual abuse. Plaintiff must provide reasonable notice of the nature of the evidence in advance of trial. (Adds C.E. Art. 412.5) SB 60 Martiny. Act 228. Effective May 15, 2018
NDA. Allows courts to throw out non-disclosure agreements that prevent someone from sharing information about criminal activity. Applies to any agreement, contract, settlement, or other similar instrument entered into, revised, or amended before, on, and after August 1, 2018. (Amends R.S. 9:2717) SB 233 Morrell. Act 368. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Random selection of appellate panels. Adds in Code of Civil Procedure that assignment of appellate panels shall be in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 13:319, randomly assigned by the clerk, subject to the supervision of the court. (Amends R.S. 13:319; adds C.C.P. Art. 2164.1) SB 273 Milkovich. Act 658. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Law Institute. Amends C.C.P. Art. 853 “Caption of pleadings; adoption by reference; exhibits,” which provided that an exhibit to a pleading was a part of that pleading for all purposes. Deletes the phrase “for all purposes” from prior law to resolve an inconsistency with Article 966(A)(4), which prohibits the filing of exhibits to pleadings in connection with motions for summary judgment unless the exhibits themselves are properly authenticated. (Amends C.C.P. Arts. 194(6), 853, 855, 1471(A) and (3), 1913(B) and (C), and 3952) HB 174 Garofalo. Act 195. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Increases the amount of funds a depository may release to a surviving spouse without court proceedings from $10,000 to $20,000. (Amends R.S. 9:1513) HB 234 Edmonds. Act 302. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Intestate depositor. Increases the amount of funds a depository may release to a surviving spouse from $5,000 to $20,000. (Amends R.S. 6:315.1(A)-(C)) HB 459 Miller. Act 96. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Omnibus corporate filing regulations, technical changes. Allows shareholders to include a provision in articles of incorporation to eliminate or limit personal liability of a director or officer for damages for a breach of fiduciary duty, except as it applies to loyalty to the corporation or acts or omissions not in good faith or intentional misconduct. (Amends, adds and repeals various statutes in Titles 3, 9, 12, 22,49, and 51) HB 621 Foil. Act 560. Effective May 28, 2018
Adoption. Law Institute. Provides for the regulation of the adoption of children. (Amends Ch.C. Arts. 1131(A), 1200, 1201, 1223, and 1223.1 and R.S. 14:286) HB 643 Edmonds. Act 562. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Future Medical Care Fund. Removes the requirement of a separate court order authorizing payment from the Future Medical Care Fund so that it happens by operation of law. (Amends R.S. 13:5106(B)(3)(c)) HB 719 Foil. Act 178. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Action to recover actual damages is subject to a liberative prescription of one year running from the time of the transaction or act that gave rise to the right of action. (Amends R.S. 51:1409(E)) HB 759 Foil. Act 337. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Punitive damages
Hazing. Authorizes exemplary damages upon proof that the death of a person was caused by the wanton and reckless disregard for the rights and safety of the person through an act of hazing, regardless of whether the defendant was prosecuted. (Adds C.C. Art. 2315.10) SB 91 Claitor. Act 481. Effective May 25, 2018
B&B surveillance. Requires notice by bed and breakfast businesses that common areas are subject to video surveillance. Prohibits use of footage for any commercial or exploitative purpose. Prohibits making the footage available to the public. Guest has cause of action to recover actual damages, attorney fee, litigation cost, and punitive damages. (Adds R.S. 21:61) HB 634 Hunter. Act 633. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Defamation/sexual misconduct. Requires court to stay proceedings in defamation lawsuits against a person who claims he or she was sexually assaulted. Further requires stay until the completion of all investigations, hearings, or proceedings relating to the allegations of sexual misconduct. Provides that if the court determines that the defamation claim is fraudulent or frivolous, the court shall order the plaintiff to pay all court costs and reasonable attorney fees, and the defendant is entitled to exemplary damages. The amount of exemplary damages that may be awarded is at the court’s discretion and not subject to any cap or similar limitation. (Adds R.S. 13:3381 - 3383) SB 147 Morrell. Act 359. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Motor vehicle, traffic, transportation
Trucking. Authorizes vehicle platoons to travel closer than other motor vehicles traveling on highways. Defines “platoon” as a group of individual motor vehicles utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology to travel in a unified manner at close following distances. Prohibits platoons on two-lane highways. (Amends R.S. 32:81(B) and (C); adds R.S. 32:1(95) and 81(D), (E), and (F)) HB 308 Havard. Act 310. Effective Jan. 1, 2019
Escort vehicle. Clarifies that proof of general liability insurance, motor vehicle liability insurance, and workers’ compensation coverage, each providing for a minimum of $500,000 in liability coverage, is required for the registration of all escort vehicles operating in Louisiana. (Amends R.S. 32:387.1(B)(1) and (2)(b)) HB 832 Gisclair. Act 289. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Increases the liability insurance limits for out-of-state drivers to reflect the 15/30/25 limits applicable to Louisiana drivers. Provides that a personal injury protection card issued from an insurer in another state or jurisdiction shall not be acceptable as proof of liability policy limits. (Amends R.S. 32:861(E)(1) and 872(D)) SB 138 Luneau. Act 567. Effective Aug.1, 2018
Locked vehicle rescue. Provides that there shall be no liability for property damage or trespass to a motor vehicle if the damage was caused while rescuing a minor or an animal in distress in a locked vehicle. The immunity from liability for property damage does not affect a person’s liability for bodily injury suffered by the minor. Vehicle owner is immune for any conduct that might otherwise be actionable in defending his vehicle. (Adds R.S. 37:1738 and 1738.1) SB 156 Carter. Act 360. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Natural disasters
Allows district court or a court of limited jurisdiction to sign orders and judgments while outside of its territorial jurisdiction during an emergency or disaster declared by the governor if the emergency or disaster prevents the court from operating in its own jurisdiction. Requires that the court indicate the location where the order or judgment was signed. (Adds C.C.P. Art. 196.1) HB 744 Leger. Act 275. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Creates a registry of disaster volunteers who can be deployed by state or local officials during emergencies. Allows Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) to provide credentials for volunteers and to coordinate equipment sharing between public and private entities in times of emergency. Requires, at a minimum, a background check of volunteers on the state sex offender and child predator registry. Extends to volunteers the limitation of liability provided by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or its member organizations that render disaster relief or recovery services, except for acts involving gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. (Amends R.S. 9:2793.8, R.S. 29:733(C)(Art. 6), and R.S. 33:4712.18(A)(3); adds R.S. 29:735.4 and R.S. 42:1102(18)(b)(iii)) HB 388 Hodges. Act 548. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Provides for the powers and duties of the director of GOHSEP and Unified Command Group. Creates the Statewide Cemetery Response Task Force. Expands immunity to provide that GOHSEP and each parish homeland security and emergency preparedness agency shall be immune from any claim based upon the exercise or performance of, or the failure to exercise or perform, any discretionary function or duty on the part of the office or any employee thereof in carrying out its mission. (Amends R.S. 29:725(H), 725.4, 725.5(C)(3), 725.6(B)(3), (5)(b) and (c), (6), (b)(ii)(cc) and (iii), and (c)(ii)(cc) and (7), 726(E)(9), 727(D), and 735(A)(1); adds R.S. 9:2793.10 and R.S. 29:725.6(B)(6)(b)(i)(hh) and (d), 726(B)(16) and (E)(27), (28), and (29), 726.4, and 735(A)(3); repeals R.S. 29:725.6(B)(6)(a)(ii)(ff)) HB 645 Zeringue. Act 713. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Courts, court proceedings
Prohibits children from being restrained in court proceedings, but in delinquency proceedings a court may permit restraints upon a particularized determination of necessity. Does not apply when the child is in a detention center, when the child is in transport from a detention center to the courthouse, or when the child is held in the courthouse outside of the room where the juvenile delinquency proceeding will occur. (Amends Ch.C. Art. 408) HB 187 Marino. Act 453. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Requires the court to allow a witness who is under 18 or who has a developmental disability to have a facility dog accompany that witness while testifying. The court may also use facility dogs in cases involving other witnesses. Defines “facility dog” as a dog that is certified and a graduate of an assistance dog organization that is accredited and is specially trained to provide emotional support to witnesses testifying in judicial proceedings without causing a distraction during the proceedings. (Adds R.S. 15:284) HB 292 Amedee. Act 503 Effective. Aug. 1, 2018
Requires that certain courthouses be made accessible pursuant to ADA Standards subject only to the limitations or exceptions provided for in the ADA Standards. Further, requires any multistory courthouse to have at least one-half of all of its elevators in proper working service at all times and accessible in accordance with the ADA Standards and rules promulgated by the state fire marshal pursuant to the APA. (Adds R.S. 40:1734(C)) SB 265 Morrell. Act 528. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Creates a special taxing district in Avoyelles Parish to construct and operate courtrooms and related facilities. (Adds R.S. 33:4715.3) HB 806 Johnson. Act 510. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Immunity
Banks. Allows financial institutions to take action when they believe a person is attempting to financially exploit a customer who is either 60 years of age or older, or is covered under the Adult Protective Services Act. Immunity — civil, criminal and administrative immunity for financial institution. No duty imposed. Those who choose to act are immune from all liability unless grossly negligent and caused pecuniary loss to the eligible adult. No claim may be brought against any covered agency or the state. Immunity does not extend to any individual who is principal, conspirator, or an accessory after the fact to a criminal offense involving the financial exploitation of an eligible adult. (Adds R.S. 6:1371-1376) HB 503 Carmody. Act 434. Effective Oct. 1, 2018
Nursing homes. Authorizes a nursing home resident or the resident’s legal representative to have monitoring device installed in the resident’s room. Immunity — In a civil action against a nursing home, material obtained through the use of a monitoring device shall not be used if the device was installed or used without the knowledge of the nursing home, or installed or used without the prescribed form. Compliance with the procedure is a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought against the resident, legal representative, or nursing home for the use or presence of a monitoring device. (Adds R.S. 40:1193.1-1193.11 and 2010.8(A)(24)) HB 281 Talbot. Act 596. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Authorizes the delivery of insurance notices and documentation through electronic means. Limits the civil liability of an insurance producer for any harm or injury that occurs because of a party’s election to receive any notice or document by electronic means or by an insurer’'s failure to deliver or a party’s failure to receive a notice or document by electronic means. (Adds R.S. 22:2461-2469) HB 370 Talbot. Act 132. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Safe Haven Law. Revises provisions of the Safe Haven Law pertaining to designated emergency-care facilities. Extends immunity from civil and criminal liability to include employees and volunteers of a designated emergency-care facility or emergency medical service provider, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. (Amends Ch. C. Arts. 1150(2)-(4), 1151(A), and 1152(A), (B), (D), (E), (F), and (G)-(I); adds Ch. C. Art. 1150(5)) HB 527 Stagni. Act 134. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
School safety. Requires every K-12 school employee to immediately report a threat of violence or terrorism made by a student. Also requires the student to undergo a mental health or medical evaluation before the student can return to campus. No cause of action against any person for any action taken or statement made reporting a threat of violence or terrorism. However, the immunity does not apply if maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or otherwise deceive law enforcement or school officials. (Adds R.S. 17:409.1-409.5 and 3996(B)(45)) HB 898 Bacala. Act 716. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Medical insurance and billing
Creates the Balance Billing Policy Assessment Task Force to propose legislation that addresses the ongoing balance billing issues. HR 208 Talbot.
Requires insurance companies to create a directory of their in-network health-care providers that is publicly accessible, electronically searchable, and continually updated. (Amends R.S. 22:1873(B)(4) and 1879(B)(3); adds R.S. 22:1020.1-1020.6; repeals R.S. 22:1019.2(B)(4)) HB 875 Talbot. Act 290. Effective Jan. 1, 2019
Clarifies when a health-care facility must give patients a written balance billing disclosure by aligning the timing of these written notices to coincide with federally required privacy notices. (Amends R.S. 22:1880(C) and (1); adds R.S. 22:1880.1; repeals R.S. 22:1880(C)(4)) HB 824 Talbot. Act 288. Effective May 18, 2018
Prescription drugs, PBMs, opioid
Prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from imposing “gag orders” that prevent pharmacists from informing customers of cheaper options for their prescriptions. Provides immunity for pharmacist who does not provide the information to a patient. (Amends R.S. 22:1657; adds R.S. 37:1219) SB 241 Morrell. Act 317. Effective Aug. 1, 2018; and (Amends R.S. 22:1060.6(B), 1863, (1) and (6), 1864(A) and (3) and (B) and 1865; adds R.S. 22:1060.6(C), 1860.3, 1863(8), 1864(A)(4), and 1866) HB 436 Johnson. Act 597. Effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Requires health insurers and PBMs to publish information about their drug formularies, drug rebates, and how much of the rebates are passed on to consumers. (Amends R.S. 44:4.1(B)(11); adds R.S. 22:976) SB 282 Mills. Act 579. Effective Aug. 1, 2018; and (Amends R.S. 22:1657 and R.S. 44:4.1(B)(11); adds R.S. 22:1657.1) SB 283 Mills. Act 371. Effective Jan. 1, 2020.
When treating chronic pain, a health insurer cannot substitute a higher-risk opioid in place of one with abuse-deterrent properties or a non-opioid medication. (Adds R.S. 22:1060.7) SB 285 Smith. Act 372. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Creates a voluntary non-opioid directive form that a patient can file with their health-care provider to opt-out of receiving opioid prescriptions. Provides immunity from civil, criminal, and professional licensure sanctions for pharmacists who dispense an opioid based on an electronic prescription, prescribing practitioners acting with reasonable care for refusing to issue an opioid prescription, an authorized guardian or health-care representative for revoking the non-opioid directive, and a prescribing practitioner for issuing a prescription for or administering a controlled substance containing an opioid when he was not a party to the executed and filed non-opioid directive. Authorizes licensing boards to promulgate disciplinary rules against a prescribing practitioner who willfully fails to comply with a patient’s directive form. (Adds R.S. 40:1156.1) SB 90 Mills. Act 28. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Medical marijuana. Adds Parkinson’s, glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder to the 10 conditions currently qualifying for medical marijuana. Stipulates that employers and their workers’ compensation insurers shall not be obliged or ordered to pay for medical marijuana in claims arising under workers’ compensation. (Amends R.S. 40:1046(A)(1) and (2) and (J) and R.S. 40:1046(A)(1) and (2) and (J) as amended and reenacted by §2 of Act No. 96 of the 2016 R.S.; adds R.S. 40:1046(K) and R.S. 40:1046(K) of §2 of Act No. 96 of the 2016 R.S.) HB 579 James. Act 708. Effective Aug. 1, 2018; adds autism to the list of conditions covered. HB 627 Lyons. Act 496. Effective May 23, 2018
Professional liability/licensure
Ambulance. Removes requirement for the Louisiana Department of Health to promulgate rules establishing a list of items required on an ambulance or emergency medical response vehicle. Requires an ambulance or emergency medical response vehicle provider to maintain a policy identifying the equipment needed on its vehicles, including basic trauma equipment, drugs, suction and oxygen equipment, CPR equipment, and any other equipment required by law. (Amends R.S. 40:1135.1(A)(3) and 1135.2(B)(1)) HB 546 LeBas. Act 557. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Ambulance. Allows for protocols to be established allowing the transportation to an alternative destination other than a hospital emergency department if an individual’s condition does not meet the definition of an emergency medical condition subject to the following conditions: No person shall be transported to an alternative destination unless he and the alternative destination consent to being transported to that destination. No ambulance service shall transport a person to an alternative destination in which the ambulance service has a financial interest. (Amends R.S. 40:1131(4); adds R.S. 33:4791.1(A)(6) and (B)(7) and R.S. 40:1131.3 and 1133:14(A)(1)(c)) SB 414 White. Act 565. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Nurse Licensure Compact. Allows Louisiana to join a multi-state compact for nurses to obtain multi-state license privileges to practice in participating compact states. Administrators, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators to receive qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. (Adds R.S. 37:1018-1020) SB 202 Peacock. Act 577. Effective May 31, 2018
Coroner, protective custody. Provides procedure for applying for and executing an order of protective custody that allows law enforcement to use forced entry to gain access. Extends immunity to an elected coroner, the coroner’s support staff, and the executing law enforcement agencies and its officers for acts done in good faith. Immunity does not apply in instances of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. (Amends R.S. 28:53.2(G)) SB 72 Martiny. Act 352. Effective May 10, 2018
Coroner. Allows a coroner to obtain blood, urine, or other biological fluids or samples relevant to an investigation without authorization, subpoena, or court order. Clarifies that a coroner is authorized to have access to such records during an investigation. Provides that no health-care provider or custodian of records shall be held civilly or criminally liable for releasing a deceased patient’s blood, urine, or other biological fluids or samples to a requesting coroner. (Adds R.S. 13:3734(H)) SB 81 Claitor. Act 144. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Requires public safety telecommunicators who provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions be trained in the delivery of telephone CPR. Extends immunity to public safety telecommunicators who instruct a caller on telephone CPR, except for acts or omissions intentionally designed to harm or for grossly negligent acts or omissions that result in harm to an individual. (Amends R.S. 40:1131(21) and 1131.1(D); adds R.S. 40:1131(22) and (23), 1133.13(F) and (G), and 1133.16) SB 264 Carter. Act 578. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Sexual harassment by public officials. Requires each public agency head to develop and institute a policy to prevent sexual harassment. Policy must contain: a clear statement that sexual harassment will not be tolerated; a description of the behavior the agency defines as inappropriate conduct, including examples; an effective complaint procedure that includes taking immediate and appropriate action; a clear prohibition against retaliation; and a statement apprising public servants of applicable federal and state law on sexual harassment. Requires each public servant to receive a minimum of one hour of education and training on preventing sexual harassment each year. (Adds R.S. 42:341-345) HB 524 Carpenter. Act 270. Effective Jan. 1, 2019
Criminal law and procedure
Unanimous juries. Requires unanimous jury decisions for felony convictions. SB 243 is a constitutional amendment to be presented to voters on Nov. 6, 2018. If the constitutional amendment is approved by voters, HB 365 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to conform with the amended constitution. Effective for offenses committed on or after Jan. 1, 2019. (Amends Const. Art. I, Sec. 17(A)) SB 243 Morrell. Act 722; (Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 782(A)) HB 365 Jordan. Act 493.
Removes authority of the court to conduct an oral poll of the jury after a verdict is rendered. Requires a written poll be conducted in open court. Allows polling slips to be placed under seal upon order of the court, which must state the specific reasons for placing the polling slips under seal. (Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 812) HB 699 Stagni. Act 335. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Adds pipelines to the crime of unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure. Creates crime of intentional damage to a critical infrastructure. (Amends R.S. 14:61(B)(1), (C), and (D); adds R.S. 14:61(B)(3) and 61.1) HB 727 Thibaut. Act 692. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Hazing. Max Gruver Act. Creates crime of criminal hazing and penalizes persons who commit or fail to report acts of hazing. (Amends R.S. 17:1801; Adds R.S. 14:40.8) HB 78 Landry. Act 635. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Creates penalties for the failure to seek medical assistance when reckless behavior results in serious bodily injury. (Adds R.S. 14:502) HB 446 Falconer. Act 637. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Creates the crime of negligent arson and defines it as the damaging of any building of another when the offender’s criminal negligence causes the fire or the explosion. Does not apply to commonly accepted practices of prescribed burning of agricultural and forestry land. (Adds R.S. 14:52.2 and R.S. 15:562.1(3)(j)) SB 54 Martiny. Act 576. Effective May 31, 2018
Creates the crime of sexual abuse of an animal. Requires certain persons who commit the offenses to register as a sex offender. (Amends R.S. 14:89(A)(1) and R.S. 15:541(24)(a); adds R.S. 14:89(E) and 89.3) SB 236 Morrell. Act 485. Effective May 25, 2018
Human trafficking
Requires operators of sexually oriented businesses to verify the age and employment status of each potential employee or independent contractor. (Adds R.S. 23:1019.1-1019.6) HB 830 Stokes. Act 703. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Requires the Alcohol and Tobacco Commissioner to create and distribute to all bar staff a pamphlet that addresses methods of identifying and responding to rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex trafficking. Provides immunity from all criminal, civil, and administrative liability for reporting or failing to report a sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, or sex trafficking incident. (Amends R.S. 26:933(E) and (F); adds R.S. 26:933(G) and (H)) HB 899 Hilferty. Act 706. Effective Aug. 1, 2018
Constitutional amendments (Voting is set for Nov. 6, 2018.)
Prohibits convicted felons from qualifying for elective office until five years have passed since completing their sentence. (Adds Const. Art. I, Sec. 10.1) SB 31 Appel. Act 719.
Removes authority to fund Louisiana State Police traffic control from the Transportation Trust Fund. (Amends Const. Art. VII, Sec. 27(B)(1)) SB 59 Cortez. Act 720.
Extends special property tax assessments to property in a trust. (Amends Const. Art. VII, §§18(G)(6), 21(K), and (M)) SB 163 Perry. Act 721.
Allows for phased-in increases in property taxes. (Amends Const. Art. VII, §18(A) and (F)) SB 164 Morrell. Act 718.
Requires unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. (Amends Const. Art. I, Sec. 17(A)) SB 243 Morrell. Act 722.
Permits the donation and use of public equipment and personnel to the state or political subdivision. (Amends Const. Art. VII, §14(B)) SB 263 Erdey. Act 717.